zkEVM Validium Upgrade of Polygon mesh
In the ever-evolving landscape of blockchain technology, scalability remains a persistent challenge.
As decentralized applications (dApps) and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms gain popularity, the pressure on existing networks has also become evident. Polygon, a leading blockchain scalability solution, is working to directly address this barrier by offering a groundbreaking upgrade from Proof-of-Stake (PoS) to zkEVM Validium migration.
Need for Scalability
Blockchain's decentralization and immutability are its main strengths, but they come at a price. Traditional blockchains like Ethereum have faced scalability issues, leading to high transaction fees and slower transaction times during peak usage times. As DApps and DeFi platforms continue to grow in popularity, addressing scalability has become a pressing concern.
Introduction to Polygon:
Scalability Solution
Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, has emerged as a powerful solution to the scalability problem. It is an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution that uses sidechains to process transactions outside the main Ethereum network. By doing this, Polygon significantly reduces congestion and increases the efficiency of transactions while maintaining security and decentralized management.
Evolution:
From Proof-of-Stake to zkEVM Validium
While Polygon's Layer 2 approach is a game-changer, it doesn't stop there. In its quest to revolutionize scalability, Polygon has implemented two significant upgrades, migrating from Proof-of-Stake (PoS) to zkEVM Validium.
PoS (Proof-of-Stake) Consensus Mechanism
The first phase of Polygon's upgrade was the transition from the traditional Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism. PoS relies on validators selected to create blocks and verify transactions based on the number of tokens they “share” or lock as collateral. PoS is known for its energy efficiency and lower resource requirements compared to Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanisms used by networks such as Bitcoin.
By adopting PoS, Polygon reduces the environmental impact of its operations and increases the efficiency of its transaction processes. This makes it an environmentally friendly alternative to energy-intensive blockchain networks.
zkEVM Validium, Zero-Knowledge Collections with Validium Data Availability
The second and most ambitious upgrade is the implementation of zkEVM Validium, which combines the advantages of zkRollups and Validium. This hybrid solution aims to achieve unprecedented scalability without compromising security.
*zkRollups*
zkRollups stands for Zero-Knowledge Rollups, a Layer 2 scaling technique that allows large numbers of transactions to be aggregated and verified as a single proof on the main chain. This eliminates the need to process each transaction separately, significantly reducing the computational load and allowing the transaction to complete faster
*Validium Data Availability*
Validium refers to a data availability solution where data remains off-chain but can be published on-chain as needed for validation. This approach ensures privacy and reduces the cost of on-chain transactions. By combining zkRollups with Validium data availability, Polygon maximizes scalability while maintaining high levels of data privacy and security.
What's included in the Polygon zkEVM Validium upgrade?
Polygon Labs recommended upgrading the PoS sidechain to zkEVM Validium. The upgrade is a significant step towards Polygon 2.0, the ecosystem's future vision. If approved, the upgrade of the network will be carried out by the first quarter of 2024.
The new version of Polygon PoS will rely on zero-knowledge proofs to increase security. This will not be an “aggregation”, but rather a “validium” that only stores verification evidence at layer 1, while the actual transaction data will be kept on a separate chain. This compromise will allow Polygon PoS to have lower transaction fees than Polygon zkEVM. It will also increase the security of Polygon PoS as it will allow the network to inherit the security of Ethereum.
Once the upgrade is implemented, Polygon zkEVM can be used for high-value transactions where security is of utmost importance, while Polygon PoS can become the network for gaming and social media enthusiasts.
Polygon PoS and Polygon zkEVM. What are the differences?
Polygon zkEVM and Polygon PoS are two different components in the Polygon ecosystem, each with their own characteristics and role in the network. In this guide, we'll explore the key differences between the original Polygon PoS and Polygon zkEVM by examining their respective architectures, consensus mechanisms, data availability options, and more.
Polygon PoS primarily uses a Plasma framework and a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to create a sidechain that runs parallel to the Ethereum mainnet. Polygon zkEVM uses a ZK-Rollup architecture that leverages zero-knowledge proofs to provide a Layer 2 solution on top of Ethereum.
Polygon PoS relies on a set of validators participating in the PoS consensus mechanism to verify and validate transactions on the sidechain. Polygon zkEVM uses a Consensus Agreement that supports permissionless participation of multiple coordinators (Sorters and Aggregators) to generate and validate batches in L2.
In Polygon PoS, data is stored on the sidechain, which provides a separate blockchain for transaction processing. Polygon zkEVM provides two options for data availability under the Hybrid scheme: Validium (data is stored off-chain) and Volition (data and validity proofs are on-chain for some transactions and are just proofs for others).
Polygon zkEVM is designed to offer transparent distribution and full Ethereum compatibility, allowing developers to maintain the same development workflow as on Ethereum without the need for any modification or reimplementation of code. EVM equivalence effectively recreates the entire Ethereum execution environment. The key distinction is that the EVM equivalence offered by Polygon zkEVM provides “less friction” compared to the EVM compatibility offered by Polygon PoS
What are the Advantages of Polygon zkEVM Validium?
Polygon zkEVM Validium offers several advantages over Polygon PoS, making it an important step in the evolution of blockchain scalability. Here are some key advantages:
Improved Scalability:
While Polygon PoS has provided notable improvements in scalability compared to the Ethereum mainnet, zkEVM Validium takes it to the next level. The upgrade enables Polygon to process a significantly higher number of transactions per second through the implementation of zkRollups with Validium data availability, further reducing congestion and improving overall network efficiency. This means more transactions can be processed faster, improving user experience and making the network more suitable for mass adoption.
Lower Transaction Costs:
The cost per transaction is expected to decrease with the increased scalability of zkEVM Validium. zkRollups aggregate multiple transactions and publish only a single proof on the Ethereum mainnet, significantly reducing the gas fees associated with each transaction. Moreover, Validium data availability allows transaction data to be stored off-chain, further reducing on-chain storage costs. As a result, users and developers can benefit from reduced transaction fees, making blockchain usage more cost-effective.
Privacy and Security:
The combination of zkRollups and Validium data availability provides strong privacy and security features. zkRollups use Zero Knowledge Proofs to verify transactions without revealing their contents, ensuring sensitive data remains private. Validium data availability keeps transaction data off-chain until needed for verification, reducing exposure to potential attacks on the mainnet. By applying these technologies, Polygon zkEVM Validium ensures a high level of security and data privacy, making it a reliable and trustworthy network for users and developers.
Environmentally Friendly Operations:
While both Polygon PoS and zkEVM Validium are more energy efficient than traditional Proof-of-Work blockchains, the move to zkEVM Validium represents a step forward in environmental friendliness. The upgrade further minimizes the energy consumption required for transaction processing by reducing on-chain computation via zkRollups and off-chain data storage via Validium. This is in line with the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly blockchain solutions.
Seamless Interoperability:
Polygon zkEVM Validium maintains compatibility with Ethereum's EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine), allowing developers to seamlessly port existing Ethereum smart contracts. This interoperability enables dApps and DeFi projects to seamlessly migrate to Polygon while leveraging the enhanced scalability and cost-effectiveness offered by zkEVM Validium. The ability to maintain Ethereum compatibility opens new possibilities for cross-chain communication and collaboration.
Preparing for the Future:
By adopting zkEVM Validium, Polygon positions itself at the forefront of blockchain technology. The upgrade demonstrates a commitment to continuous innovation and improvement, ensuring the network remains competitive and relevant in an ever-changing blockchain landscape. As technology evolves, zkEVM Validium provides a foundation for Polygon to adapt and integrate with new developments, keeping the network future-proof and resilient.
In conclusion ;
The upgrade demonstrates a commitment to continuous innovation and improvement, ensuring the network remains competitive and relevant in an ever-changing blockchain landscape. As technology evolves, zkEVM Validium provides a foundation for Polygon to adapt and integrate with new developments, keeping the network future-proof and resilient.
These benefits solidify zkEVM Validium as a groundbreaking upgrade, setting a new standard f
or blockchain scalability and cementing Polygon's position as the leading solution in the blockchain ecosystem
